Merchandise Event Monitoring Via Wireless Tracking

ABSTRACT

Item movement is determined via wireless tracking using RFID data from at least one RFID reader. The RFID data associates RFID tag information with each antenna of the RFID reader that receives the tag information. At least one processer is configured to identify a first appearance of unique tag information in the RFID data. Items may be grouped when their first appearance in RFID data and their antenna association indicates that they first appear in a location within a predetermined amount of time, as indicated by RFID data, and/or when they have all moved from a previous location within a predetermined amount of time, as indicated by different RFID data. A group designation comprises the relevant unique tag information, which may be stored in memory along with a time stamp.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/096,928, filed Apr. 12, 2016 which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No.9,443,218, filed on Apr. 12, 2013, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/788,846,entitled “Merchandise Event Monitoring Via Wireless Tracking,” filed onMar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of each application are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments relate generally to radio frequency identification and theuse of RFID tag information.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

RFID is a wireless, non-contact system that uses radio-frequencyelectromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an objectfor automatic identification and tracking. A conventional RFID systemincludes one or more RFID tags and an RFID reader. The RFID tag includesa transponder having a radio frequency integrated circuit and anantenna. The RFID reader includes an antenna and a transceiver. Thetransceiver includes a transmitter, a receiver and a decoder forprocessing data within the signal emitted by the RFID tag. When a RFIDtag is within the activation range of the RFID reader, the RFID readercan read tag information transmitted by the RFID tag.

In former approaches, a plurality of RFID readers may have been usedtogether to comprise an RFID reader system. RFID readers have beendispersed throughout a facility to enable the RFID readers to read themajority of RFID tags within the facility. Multiple RFID readers havebeen used within a facility for purposes of tracking individual RFIDtagged items. RFID information has been used with respect to inventorydetection. RFID information has also been used to alert personnel of anyRFID tagged item passing through a threshold, such as a customer doorfor a store.

SUMMARY

The inventors of the present invention recognized that the historicalfocus on monitoring individual RFID tags may not reveal information thatcan be determined by looking at similarities that can be discovered bymonitoring pluralities of RFID tags. The inventors of the presentinvention recognized grouping multiple RFID tags over time may provideinsights into various events that are not discernible when focused onmonitoring individual RFID tag. The prior RFID data analysis methodshave limited application to rapid event detection. To streamline theevent determination process and adapt an analysis and notificationsystem, the inventors recognized a need to quickly and automaticallymonitor movement of groups of RFID tags within a facility. Variousembodiments, computer-implemented methods and systems are directed tomonitoring merchandise events via wireless tracking.

In one aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a method ofmonitoring a group of merchandise event via wireless tracking. Themethod includes receiving first RFID data from a first RFID reader andreceiving second RFID data from a second RFID reader. The first RFIDdata associates tag information of an RFID tag with at least one firstantenna of the first RFID reader that read the tag information. Thesecond RFID data associates tag information of an RFID tag with at leastone second antenna of the second RFID reader that read the taginformation. A processor identifies a first appearance of first uniquetag information in the first RFID data. The processor also identifies anappearance of the first unique tag information in the second RFID data.If the appearance of the first unique tag information in the second RFIDdata occurs prior to its first appearance in the first RFID data, thenthe processor may determine that the RFID tag with the first unique taginformation has moved from a location where it can be read by the secondRFID reader to a location where it can be read by the first RFID reader.The processor also identifies the first appearance of second unique taginformation in the first RFID data within a predetermined time of thefirst appearance of the first unique tag information in the first RFIDdata. Upon finding two first appearances of unique tag information inthe first RFID data within a predetermined time, the processor checksfor an appearance of the second unique tag information where the firstunique tag information previously appeared. In particular, the processorchecks for an appearance of the second unique tag information in thesecond RFID data prior to the first appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data. If the processor finds theappearance of the second unique tag information in the second RFID dataprior to the first appearance of the second unique tag information inthe first RFID data, then the processor may determine that the RFID tagwith the second unique tag information has similarly moved from alocation where it can be read by the second RFID reader to a locationwhere it can be read by the first RFID reader. Accordingly, theprocessor designates a first group comprising the first unique taginformation and the second unique tag information. Then the processorstores in memory the first group designation, a first time index, and afirst event indicator, wherein the first event indicator indicates agroup formation.

Embodiments of the invention may terminate a designated group based ondifferent circumstances. For example, in one embodiment of theinvention, a group may be terminated if the RFID data indicates nochange in the location of any group member for a second predeterminedtime. In another embodiment of the invention, a group may terminated ifthe RFID data indicates that one member of the group is no longerlocated with the other members for a second predetermined time. Inanother embodiment of the invention, a group may be terminated if theRFID data indicates that members of the group have been moved todistinct locations for a second predetermined time. Generally, grouptermination involves storing in memory the group designation, a timeindex, and an event indicator indicating group termination.

In some embodiments, the method may further include checking the firstRFID data for appearances of the first unique tag information and thesecond unique tag information. If the first RFID data continues toinclude appearances of both the first unique tag information and thesecond unique tag information for a second predetermined time, then thefirst group designation, a second time index, and a second eventindicator that indicates the termination of a group designation arestored in memory.

In some embodiments, the method may further include checking the firstRFID data for appearances of the first unique tag information and thesecond unique tag information. If the first RFID data comprises noappearance of either the first unique tag information or the secondunique tag information for a second predetermined time limit, then thefirst group designation, a second time index, and a second eventindication that indicates the termination of a group designation arestored in memory.

In some embodiments, the method may further include identifying a firstappearance of first unique tag information in third RFID data andidentifying a first appearance of second unique tag information infourth RFID data. The method then includes checking for an appearance ofthe first unique tag information in the fourth RFID data. The method mayfurther include checking for an appearance of the second unique taginformation in the third RFID data. If the third RFID data includes noappearance of the second unique tag information and the fourth RFID dataincludes no appearance of the first unique tag information for a secondpredetermined time limit, the third RFID data and fourth RFID dataindicates that the RFID tags in the first group have been separated.Accordingly, the first group comprising the first unique tag informationand the second unique tag information is terminated. Then the firstgroup designation, a second event indicator, and a second time indexthat indicates a group termination are stored in memory.

In some embodiments, the foregoing method may further include receivingthird RFID data from a third RFID reader. The third RFID readercomprises at least one antenna configured to read tag information of anRFID tag. The first RFID data associates tag information of an RFID tagwith the at least one antenna that reads the tag information. Theprocessor identifies a first appearance of first unique tag informationand second unique tag information in the third RFID data within apredetermined time. The first appearances of the first unique taginformation and second unique tag information in the third RFID data mayalso be required to occur within another predetermined time of anappearance of the first unique tag information and/or the second uniquetag information in the first RFID data. If the first and second uniquetag information have been previously designated a group, and the RFIDdata available to the processor indicates that their unique taginformation was read by one antenna, but is now read by another antennawith a non-overlapping read zone—the new first appearances may indicatea group move. For example, when the at least one antenna of the thirdRFID reader and the at least one antenna of the first RFID reader havenon-overlapping read zone, the first new appearances of the first andsecond unique tag information in the third RFID data may indicate agroup move. Under the right circumstances, the first new appearanceswith cause the processor to determine that the group has moved.Accordingly, the first group designation, a second time index, and asecond event indicator that indicates a group movement will be stored inmemory.

In some embodiments, the method may include calculating by at least oneprocessor a confidence score based on a comparison of the appearance ofthe tag information in the first RFID data and the second RFID data.

In some embodiments, the method may include triggering an alert based onthe second event indicator. The alert may be in the form of a systemnotification, a message directed towards a specific user, a message sentvia visual or audio alters throughout the facility. In some embodiments,the method may include triggering by the processor an alert based on thesecond event indicator and the tag information of the first RFID tag andthe second RFID tag. In some embodiments, the method may includetransmitting the alert to an inventory management system. The messagesent to the inventory management system may include a status update bythe system or may include a request for an action by the inventorymanagement system. The request may be a restocking or a reorderingrequest. The request may be intended to trigger a system or a humanreaction. In some embodiments, the method may include analyzing by theprocessor, a plurality of second event indicators to identify a trafficflow pattern within a facility. The traffic flow pattern may include howpeople move about the facility, how much time is spent in a particulararea of the facility, or quantity of items originating from areas of thefacility. In some embodiments, the method may include filtering by theprocessor, the first RFID data to eliminate shadow data. Shadow datainclude duplicate RFID tag reads or RFID tag reads that are ambiguousdue to signal interruptions.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed toa system for determining item movement via wireless tracking. The systemcomprises a first RFID reader, a second RFID reader, at least oneprocessor, and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The firstRFID reader has at least one first antenna configured for read RFID taginformation. The first RFID data associates tag information from an RFIDtag with each of the at least one first antenna that reads the taginformation. The second RFID reader has at least one second antennaconfigured to read RFID tag information. The second RFID data associatestag information of an RFID tag with each of the at least one secondantenna that reads the tag information. The at least one processor isconfigured to identify a first appearance of unique tag information inthe different RFID data. After the at least one processor identifies afirst appearance of first unique tag information in the first RFID data,it looks for a prior appearance of the first unique tag information inother RFID data. If the at least one processor identifies a firstappearance of second unique tag information in the first RFID datawithin a predetermined time of the first appearance of the first uniquetag information in the first RFID data, it looks for a prior appearanceof the second unique tag information in whatever other RFID data thefirst unique tag information previously appeared. Accordingly, the atleast one processor may determine a movement of two RFID tags togetherfrom a location where they can be read by the second RFID reader to alocation where they can be read by the first RFID reader. If theappearance of the second unique tag information in the second RFID dataprior to the first appearance of the second unique tag information inthe first RFID data is found, the at least one processor designates afirst group comprising the first unique tag information and the secondunique tag information. Accordingly, the memory stores a first groupdesignation, a first time index, and a first event indicator thatindicates a group formation.

In some embodiments of the system, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to compare associations of tag information in the first RFIDdata. The memory is operatively coupled to at least one processor. Whenthe first RFID data associations of tag information of the first RFIDtag and the second RFID tag do not change within a second predeterminedtime limit, the first group designation, a second time index, and asecond event indicator that indicates the termination of a groupdesignation may be stored in memory.

In some embodiments of the system, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to check the first RFID data for tag information of the firstRFID tag and the second RFID tag. The memory is operatively coupled toat least one processor. When the first RFID data does not include taginformation of the first RFID tag or the second RFID tag for a thirdpredetermined time limit, the first group designation, a second timeindex, and a second event indicator that indicates the termination of agroup designation may be stored in memory.

In some embodiments of the system, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to receive a third RFID data from a third RFID readercomprising at least one third antenna. The first RFID data associatestag information of an RFID tag with at least one third antenna that readthe tag information. The at least one processor is further configured toidentify a first appearance of first unique tag information and a firstappearance of second unique tag information in the third RFID data. Theat least one processor is further configured to check whether the twofirst appearances in the third RFID data occurred within a secondpredetermined time and whether the first appearances in the third RFIDdata occurred within a third predetermined time of an appearance of thefirst unique tag information or the second unique tag information in thefirst RFID data. If the first appearances occur within the second periodof time and the third period of time, the at least one processor isfurther configured to cause the first group designation, a second timeindex, and a second event indicator that indicates a group movement tobe stored in memory.

In some embodiments of the system, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to calculate a confidence score based on a comparison of theappearance of the tag information in the first RFID data and the secondRFID data.

In some embodiments of the system, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to trigger an alert based on the second event indicator. Insome embodiments, the system may further include the processor furtherconfigured to trigger an alert based on the second event indicator andthe tag information of the first RFID tag, and the second RFID tag. Insome embodiments, the system may further include the processorconfigured to transmit the alert to an inventory management system. Insome embodiments, the system may further include the processor furtherconfigured to analyze, a plurality of the second event indicators toidentify a traffic flow pattern within a facility. In some embodiments,the system may further include the processor further configured tofilter the first RFID data to eliminate shadow data.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a methodof monitoring a group merchandise event via wireless tracking. Themethod includes receiving first RFID data from a first RFID readercomprising a plurality of antennas. The plurality of antennas comprisesa first antenna and a second antenna having non-overlapping read zones.The first RFID data associates tag information of an RFID tag with eachof the plurality of antennas that read the tag information. The methodinvolves identifying, by a processor, a first appearance of first uniquetag information in the first RFID data associated with the firstantenna. The method also involves identifying, by a processor, anappearance of first unique tag information in the first RFID dataassociated with the second antenna prior to the first appearance of thefirst unique tag information in the first RFID data associated with thefirst antenna. The method further involves identifying, by theprocessor, a first appearance of second unique tag information in thefirst RFID data associated with the first antenna within a predeterminedtime of the first appearance of the first unique tag information in thefirst RFID data associated with the first antenna. The method involveschecking, by the processor, for an appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data associated with the second antennaprior to the first appearance of the second unique tag information inthe first RFID data associated with the first antenna. If the appearanceof the second unique tag information in the first RFID data associatedwith the second antenna prior to the first appearance of the secondunique tag information in the first RFID data associated with the firstantenna is found, the method involves designating, by the processor, afirst group comprising the first unique tag information and the secondunique tag information and storing in memory the first groupdesignation, a first time index, and a first event indicator indicatinga group formation.

In some embodiments, the method may include checking, by the processor,the first RFID data for tag information of the first RFID tag and thesecond RFID tag. The first group designation, a second time index, and asecond event indicator when the first RFID data does not include taginformation of the first RFID tag or the second RFID tag, for a thirdpredetermined time limit, wherein the second event indicator indicatesthe termination of a group designation may be stored in memory.

Any combination of the embodiments is envisioned. Other objects andfeatures will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to beunderstood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustrationonly and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of an example of a retail store facility forillustrating certain aspects of some embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating exemplary arrangements of RFIDreaders in a facility consistent with embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device that may beused to perform any of the methods in the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment suitablefor a distributed implementation of exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for monitoring a groupmerchandise event via wireless tracking in accordance with exemplaryembodiments; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for monitoring a groupmerchandise event via wireless tracking in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention use RFID data from at least twonon-overlapping read zones to identify RFID tags that have movedtogether from a first read zone to a second non-overlapping read zone.Each RFID tag makes unique tag identification information available.RFID data is generated by at least one RFID reader having at least oneantenna configured to read RFID tag information. Whereas someembodiments may use RFID data from a single RFID reader having at leasttwo antennas with non-overlapping read zones, other embodiments use RFIDdata from multiple RFID readers. When an RFID reader features aplurality of antennas, the RFID reader associates the tag informationwith each antenna that read the tag information. Thus, the RFID dataassociates tag information with each antenna that reads the taginformation.

A processor in accordance with embodiments of the invention identifiesappearances of tag information in different read zones based on RFIDdata. Generally, the processor starts by identifying a first appearanceof first unique tag information in a new read zone from RFID data. Theprocessor then identifies a prior appearance of the first unique taginformation at a former read zone. Thus, movement of the first uniquetag from the former read zone to the new read zone can be inferred fromthe RFID data. Next, the processor identifies a first appearance ofsecond unique tag information in the new read zone from RFID data. Ifthe first appearance of the second unique information in the new readzone occurs within a predetermined time of the first appearance of thefirst unique tag information, the processor checks whether the secondunique tag information has previously appeared in the former read zoneof the first unique tag, as indicated by the RFID data. If so, movementof the first and second unique tags together from the former read zoneto the new read zone can be inferred from the RFID data. When two uniquetags are determined to have moved together from a first read zone to asecond read zone, a group comprising the tags is designated.Additionally, the group designation, a time stamp, and a group formationindicator are stored in memory.

The group designation is useful for automatic tracking a group as it mayform, move, and uniform within a facility. Monitoring a single RFID tagmay produce unreliable data and may not indicate events related to aplurality of RFID tags. The inventors recognized that monitoring groupsof RFID tags via wireless tracking enables data association and analysisthat may not be feasible with only information related to singe RFIDtags. Accordingly, group designation and tracking may enable eventmonitoring such as the order of customer product selections, the timingof customer product selections, the movement of customer productselections, potential theft events, the need for restocking, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary facility 100 havingvarious zones A-L. For example, the facility may be a retail storehaving departments A-L. One of ordinary skill will understand thatfacility 100 is not limited to a particular number of zones. Itemsfeaturing RFID tags may be located in various zones of facility 100. Forexample, RFID tagged merchandise may be stocked at departments A-L ofstore 100. RFID tags can contain unique tag information and can be afixed to individual items, to cases of items, to pallets, and/or tofixtures. An RFID tag for an individual item may contain unique taginformation. One of ordinary skill will understand that facility 100 mayinclude any number of RFID tagged items.

Different types of items may be located in different zones of facility100. For example, men's clothing may be stocked in the men's clothingdepartment A, and women's clothing may be stocked in the women'sclothing department B. Certain products may be stocked in more than onelocation (e.g., departments A and F), or temporarily moved to adifferent location, such as an aisle end caps during a promotionalevent. Neither the RFID tag nor its tag information changes as theassociated item's location changes within the facility.

FIG. 1 further illustrates two RFID readers in the exemplary facility.In FIG. 1, a first RFID reader 210 and a second RFID reader 260 areconfigured to read RFID tags. In some embodiments of the invention,three or more RFID readers may be configured to read RFID tags. One ofskill in the art will recognize additional RFID readers could be used.The RFID readers may be distributed evenly or unevenly throughout thefacility. The RFID readers may be arranged to segment or delineate thefacility into particular zones. The RFID readers may be clustered inparticular areas of the facility. For example, a plurality of RFIDreaders may be arranged in a fifty by fifty foot grid pattern. The RFIDreaders may be arranged in an overhead position. The RFID readers may beconfigured to attach to the ceiling or the roof of the facility or maybe mounted to a support structure.

Similar to FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A and 2B each illustrate the plan view ofexemplary facility 100 having various zones A-L and RFID readers 210 and260. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, RFID reader 210 features an antenna 212configured to read RFID tags. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, RFID reader 260similarly features an antenna 262 configured to read RFID tags. One ofskill in the art will recognize that RFID readers 210 and 260 could eachindividually feature one or more additional antennas. The RFID readermay be any suitable RFID reader, such as a UHF EPC Global Class 1 RFIDreader, an Impinj Speedway Revolution RFID reader, a Motorola FX9500RFID reader, or an Alien 9900 RFID reader. In facility 200, the RFIDreaders 210 and 260 may be the same type or different types.

The area within which an RFID reader antenna can read RFID tags isgenerally considered its read zone. When antennas can read the same RFIDtag, they are deemed to have overlapping read zones. For example, twodirectional antennas in close proximity but oriented in oppositedirections may not have overlapping read zones. On the other hand, whenoriented in the same direction, the same two directional antennas mayhave overlapping read zones.

The RFID readers may be configured to have antennas arranged in 360degree around the RFID reader or in any subset of the 360 degreearrangement. The RFID antennas may be positioned in a circular,rectangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, pentagonal, square, triangular ordiamond in arrangement. The RFID antennas may be phased array antennas.The RFID readers may have antennas of varying signal strength. The RFIDreaders may have a varying number of antennas. The RFID readers used inthe system may have varying signal strength and reader sensitivitylevels.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the antennas of RFID readers 210 and 260 areselected and positioned within the facility 100 such that they do nothave with overlapping read zones. For example, antenna 212 and antenna262 may be directional and may each be oriented such that their readzones do not overlap.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first location of RFID tag 220 and of RFID tag 230in facility 100. The antenna of RFID reader 210 is selected andconfigured such that it is able to read RFID tag 220, but cannot readRFID tag 230, due to their respective locations in facility 100.Accordingly, RFID reader 210 will read RFID tag 220 and produce RFIDdata associating tag information from RFID tag 220 with antenna 212. TheRFID data produced by RFID reader 210 may be designated first RFID data.The antenna of RFID reader 260 is selected and configured such that itis able to read RFID tag 230, but cannot read RFID tag 220, due to theirrespective locations in facility 100. Accordingly, RFID reader 260 willread RFID tag 230 and produce RFID data associating tag information fromRFID tag 230 with antenna 262. The RFID data produced by RFID reader 260may be designated second RFID data.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second location of RFID tag 220 and of RFID tag230 in facility 100. The antenna of RFID reader 210 is selected andconfigured such that it cannot read RFID tags 220 or 230, due to theirlocations in facility 100. Accordingly, RFID reader 210 will not readRFID tag 220 nor produce first RFID data associating tag informationfrom RFID tag 220 with antenna 212. The antenna of RFID reader 260 isselected and configured such that it is able to read RFID tags 230 and220, due to their respective locations in facility 100. Accordingly,RFID reader 260 will read RFID tags 230 and 220 and produce second RFIDdata associating tag information from RFID tags 230 and 220 with antenna262.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, RFID data from RFIDReaders 210 and 260 enables a group comprising RFID tag 220 and RFID tag230 to be designated under the right circumstances. A group may bedesignated if at least two items are identified as having moved from afirst read zone to a second non-overlapping read zone within apredetermined period of time. In accordance with embodiments of theinvention, a processor in computing device 300 of FIG. 3 may process theRFID data from RFID readers 210 and 260 to identify appearances ofunique tag information at particular times in particular zones. Aprocessor in computing device 300 of FIG. 3 may process the RFID datafrom one or more additional or alternative RFID readers to identifyappearances of unique tag information at particular times in particularzones. Similarly, memory 306 of FIG. 3 may store RFID data, appearanceinformation derived from RFID data, group designations, time indexes,and/or event indicators. Additionally or alternatively, storage 324 ofFIG. 3 may store RFID data, appearance information derived from RFIDdata, group designations, time indexes, and/or event indicators.

Those of skill in the art would recognize that RFID reader antennas neednot have a directional read zone, need not have a conical read zone,need not be arranged as described in the foregoing example, and need notbe equally spaced from other antennas. For example, each antenna of anRFID reader may be pointed in the same direction. Alternatively,antennas of an RFID reader may be arranged in 360 configuration aboutthe RFID reader. Alternate antennas and antenna configurations arepossible and within the scope of the invention.

One or more additional RFID data may be analyzed by the processor. Atleast one additional RFID tags may be included in the first or secondRFID data. If an appearance of an additional RFID tag is present in thefirst or the second RFID data the processor may the third unique taginformation in the identification and checking for tag information.

The processor 302 may determine if the read zones of two RFID readerantennas overlap. For example, if antenna 212 of RFID reader 210 andantennas 262 of RFID reader 260 read tag information from the same RFIDtags frequently, antennas 212 and 262 may be deemed to have overlappingread zones. Alternatively, if antenna 212 of RFID reader 210 andantennas 262 of RFID reader 260 read the tag information of the sameRFID tags only rarely, antennas 212 and 262 may be deemed to havenon-overlapping read zones. The RFID data generated by RFID reader 210and RFID reader 260, including any antenna associations and timeinformation therein, may be used to identify overlap in antenna readzones. The processor 302 may generally designate a group comprising taginformation of RFID tags that RFID data indicates have moved togetherfrom a first read zone to a second non-overlapping read zone. Movingtogether may be measured by various time periods. The processor 302 mayperform further analyze RFID data to determine whether a designatedgroup has moved, has increased in the number of RFID tags, has decreasedin the number of RFID tags, or should be terminated.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device 300 that maybe used to perform any of the methods provided by exemplary embodiments.The computing device 300 may be any suitable computing or communicationdevice or system, such as a workstation, desktop computer, server,laptop, handheld computer, tablet computer (e.g., the iPad™ tabletcomputer), mobile computing or communication device (e.g., the iPhone™communication device), or other form of computing or telecommunicationsdevice that is capable of communication and that has sufficientprocessor power and memory capacity to perform the operations describedherein.

The computing device 300 includes one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media for storing one or more computer-executableinstructions, programs or software for implementing exemplaryembodiments. The non-transitory computer-readable media may include, butare not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitorytangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one ormore optical disks, one or more USB flashdrives), and the like. Forexample, memory 306 included in the computing device 300 may storecomputer-readable and computer-executable instructions, programs orsoftware for implementing exemplary embodiments. Memory 306 may includea computer system memory or random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM,EDO RAM, and the like. Memory 306 may include other types of memory aswell, or combinations thereof.

The computing device 300 also includes processor 302 and associated core304, and optionally, one or more additional processor(s) 302′ andassociated core(s) 304′ (for example, in the case of computer systemshaving multiple processors/cores), for executing computer-readable andcomputer-executable instructions or software stored in the memory 306and other programs for controlling system hardware. Processor 302 andprocessor(s) 302′ may each be a single core processor or multiple core(304 and 304′) processor.

Virtualization may be employed in the computing device 300 so thatinfrastructure and resources in the computing device may be shareddynamically. A virtual machine 314 may be provided to handle a processrunning on multiple processors so that the process appears to be usingonly one computing resource rather than multiple computing resources.Multiple virtual machines may also be used with one processor.

A user may interact with the computing device 300 through a visualdisplay device 318, such as a computer monitor, which may display one ormore user interfaces 320 that may be provided in accordance withexemplary embodiments, for example, the exemplary interfaces illustratedin FIGS. 4. The visual display device 318 may also display otheraspects, elements and/or information or data associated with exemplaryembodiments, for example, views of location of the RFID readers, theinternal boundaries of the facility, and the like. The computing device300 may include other input/output (I/O) devices for receiving inputfrom a user, for example, a keyboard or any suitable multi-point touchinterface 308, a pointing device 310 (e.g., a mouse). The keyboard 2008and the pointing device 310 may be coupled to the visual display device318. The computing device 300 may include other suitable conventionalI/O peripherals.

The computing device 300 may include one or more storage devices 324,such as a hard-drive, CD-ROM, or other computer readable media, forstoring data and computer-readable instructions and/or software thatimplement exemplary embodiments of a location tracking system 2032 astaught herein. Exemplary storage device 324 may also store one or moredatabases for storing any suitable information required to implementexemplary embodiments. The databases may be updated by a user orautomatically at any suitable time to add, delete or update one or moreitems in the databases.

Exemplary storage device 324 may store one or more system databases 326for storing information on RFID data association. System database 326may also include information on each RFID data read including, but notlimited to, properties of the item, the type of geographical location atwhich the load is located, the RFID reader and RFID reader antennareceiving the tag information, the quantity of RFID tags, the mix of theRFID tags, and the like.

Exemplary storage device 324 may store one or more system analysisdatabases 328 for storing information on RFID data association that maybe used in determining if the criteria for group formation weresatisfied and the like. System analysis database 328 may also includeinformation on each system analysis method including, but not limitedto, the location of the RFID data, the status of the RFID data, the typeof the RFID data, and the like.

Exemplary storage device 324 may store one or more group formationdatabases 330 for storing any group designation criteria. Groupformation database 330 may also include additional informationincluding, but not limited to, the facility distribution of RFID readersthroughout the area, tag information, product location information andthe like.

The computing device 300 may include a network interface 312 configuredto interface via one or more network devices 322 with one or morenetworks, for example, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN)or the Internet through a variety of connections including, but notlimited to, standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN links (for example,802.11, T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25), broadband connections (for example, ISDN,Frame Relay, ATM), wireless connections, controller area network (CAN),or some combination of any or all of the above. The network interface312 may include a built-in network adapter, network interface card,PCMCIA network card, card bus network adapter, wireless network adapter,USB network adapter, modem or any other device suitable for interfacingthe computing device 300 to any type of network capable of communicationand performing the operations described herein.

The computing device 300 may run any operating system 316, such as anyof the versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, thedifferent releases of the Unix and Linux operating systems, any versionof the MacOS® for Macintosh computers, any embedded operating system,any real-time operating system, any open source operating system, anyproprietary operating system, any operating systems for mobile computingdevices, or any other operating system capable of running on thecomputing device and performing the operations described herein. Inexemplary embodiments, the operating system 316 may be run in nativemode or emulated mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the operating system316 may be run on one or more cloud machine instances.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment 400suitable for a distributed implementation of exemplary embodiments. Thenetwork environment 400 may include one or more servers 402 and 404coupled to one or more RFID readers 406 and 408 via a communicationnetwork 410. The servers 402 and 404 may take the form of or include oneor more computing devices 400′ and 400″, respectively. Similarly, theRFID readers 406 and 408 may take the form of or include one or morecomputing devices 400′″ and 400′″, respectively, that are similar to thecomputing device 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The network interface 312 and the network device 322 of the computingdevice 400 enable the servers 402 and 404 to communicate with the RFIDreaders 406 and 408 via the communication network 410. As described withrespect to FIG. 1, each RFID reader, such as RFID readers 406 and 408,may read RFID tags and produce RFID data including tag information fromthe RFID tags it reads. The communication network 410 may include, butis not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN (Local AreaNetwork), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network),a wireless network, an optical network, and the like. The communicationfacilities provided by the communication network 410 are capable ofsupporting distributed implementations of exemplary embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the servers 402 and 404 may provide the RFIDreaders 406 and 408 with computer-readable and/or computer-executablecomponents or products under a particular condition, such as a licenseagreement. The computer-readable and/or computer-executable componentsor products may include those for providing and rendering an exemplaryRFID reader interface. The RFID readers 406 and 408 may provide andrender an exemplary RFID data using the computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable components and products provided by the servers 402and 404. In an exemplary embodiment, the RFID reader 406 and 408 maytransmit RFID data including RFID tag information defined by the userusing the user interface to the servers 402 and 404 that may, in turn,automatically determine if unique RFID tags have satisfied the criteriato form a group.

Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the RFID readers 406 and408 may provide the servers 402 and 404 with computer-readable andcomputer-executable components or products under a particular condition,such as a license agreement. The computer-readable andcomputer-executable components or products may include those forproviding exemplary RFID reader self-discovery information. For example,in an exemplary embodiment, the servers 402 and 404 may transmit RFIDdata association based on tag information using the computer-readableand/or computer-executable components and products provided by the RFIDreaders 406 and 408. In an exemplary embodiment, the servers 402 and 404may transmit information on a RFID reader self-discovery operationdefined by the user using the user interface to the RFID readers 406 and408 that may, in turn, automatically execute the RFID reader dataassociation operation.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process 500 for monitoring agroup merchandise event via wireless tracking. Process 500 may beimplemented, for example, in network environment 400. Process 500 beginsat block 502. At block 504, first RFID data is received from a firstRFID reader, such as RFID reader 210 of FIG. 1. At block 506, the secondRFID data is received from a second RFID reader, such as RFID reader 260of FIG. 1. Although process 500 illustrates block 504 before block 506in the flow, RFID data may be received from the second RFID readerbefore RFID data is received from the first RFID reader. Similarly, RFIDdata may be received from the second RFID reader at approximately thesame time that RFID data is received from the first RFID reader. RFIDdata from the first RFID reader and/or the second RFID reader may bereceived intermittently or continuously. RFID data may include timeinformation that indicates when any tag information was read by theantenna of the associated RFID reader. The first RFID data associatestag information of an RFID tag with each antenna of the first RFIDreader that reads the tag information. For example, RFID data from RFIDreader 210 would associate antenna 212 with any tag information read bythat antenna. The second RFID data associates tag information of an RFIDtag with each antenna of the second RFID reader that reads the taginformation. For example, RFID data from RFID reader 260 would associateantenna 262 with any tag information read by that antenna.

At block 508, a processor identifies a first appearance of first uniquetag information in the first RFID data. At block 510, the processoridentifies an appearance of the first unique tag information in thesecond RFID data prior to the first appearance of the first unique taginformation in the first RFID data. For example, a processor 302 maycompare the first RFID data with the second RFID data to determinewhether both the first RFID data with the second RFID data at one timeincluded the first unique tag information. Processor 302 may compare thefirst RFID data with the second RFID data, upon command, whenever itreceives the data, intermittently, and/or continuously. If the secondRFID data does not include the first unique tag information, processor302 may compare the first RFID data with other available RFID data todetermine whether both the first RFID data with the other available RFIDdata at one time included the first unique tag information. Processor302 may continue comparing the first RFID data until it finds otheravailable RFID data that at one time included the first unique taginformation.

The processer 302 may only check for a prior appearance of first uniquetag information in the other RFID data for a specified period of time.For example, the prior appearance of first unique tag information may berequired to occur in the other RFID data within 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30,or 45 seconds before its first appearance in the first RFID data. Stillalternatively, the prior appearance of the first unique tag informationmay be required to occur in the other RFID data within 50, 100, 200,250, 300, 400, or 500 microseconds before its first appearance in thefirst RFID data.

At block 512, the processer 302 identifies a first appearance of secondunique tag information in the first RFID data. The first appearance of asecond unique tag information must appear within a specified period oftime of the first appearance of the first unique tag information in thefirst RFID data in order for the processer to continue checking whethera group should be designated. For example, the first and second uniquetag information may be required to first appear within the first RFIDdata within 30 seconds. Alternatively, the first and second unique taginformation may be required to first appear within the first RFID datawithin 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 45 seconds. Still alternatively, the firstand second unique tag information may be required to first appear withinthe first RFID data within 50, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, or 500microseconds.

At block 514, the processor 302 checks for a prior appearance of thesecond unique tag information in the RFID data that previously includedthe first unique tag information. In particular, the processor 302 maycheck for an appearance of the second unique tag information in thesecond RFID data prior to the first appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data. Optionally, the processer 302 mayonly check for a prior appearance of the second unique tag informationin the second RFID data within a specified amount of time before thefirst appearance of the second unique tag information in the first RFIDdata. For example, the prior appearance of second unique tag informationmay be required to occur in the second RFID data within 1, 2, 5, 10, 15,20, 30, or 45 seconds before its first appearance in the first RFIDdata. Still alternatively, the appearance of the second unique taginformation may be required to occur in the second RFID data within 50,100, 200, 250, 300, 400, or 500 microseconds before its first appearancein the first RFID data. Alternatively, the processer 302 may check for aprior appearance of the second unique tag information in the second RFIDdata for an unlimited amount of time before the first appearance of thesecond unique tag information in the first RFID data. If no such priorappearance of the second unique is found, the processor proceeds toblock 520 and stops checking whether to designate a new group.

Alternatively, if the prior appearance of the second unique taginformation in the second RFID data is found at block 514, the processor302 proceeds to step 516 and designates a first group comprising thefirst unique tag information and the second unique tag information. Atblock 518, the first group designation may be stored in memory alongwith a time index and an event indicator that indicates a groupformation. If processor 302 determines that the first RFID data and thesecond RFID data include a first appearance of a first unique taginformation in the first RFID data and the second RFID data anddetermine an a first appearance of the second unique tag information inthe second RFID data prior to the appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data, it may then determine a first eventindicator a first group designation and a first time index are stored inmemory 306 indicating a group formation. Alternatively, processor 302may only compare the first RFID data with the second RFID data todetermine whether both the first RFID data with the second RFID datainclude any of the same unique tag information within a certain timerange.

RFID data may be generated intermittently or continuously. RFID dataassociations can be performed at predetermined time increments anddurations. The predetermined time increments may be fixed time periodsor variable time periods. They may occur as frequently as every fivemicroseconds. The RFID tags may be applied to fixtures, pallets, casesor items. RFID data associations can be compared over a period of timeto monitor store facility changes or remerchandising a section of thefacility.

Unique tag information from an RFID tag may appear in the RFID data ofmultiple RFID readers. Unique tag information from an RFID tag mayfurther appear in the RFID data associated with multiple antennas of anyRFID reader. For example, unique tag information may appear in the firstRFID data and in the second RFID data. Alternatively, unique taginformation may appear in the first RFID data associated with multipleantennas. Accordingly, in block 4008, any antenna associations in theRFID data may be used to determine the first group designation, a firsttime index and a first event indicator. Based on the association in theRFID data, a determination of the first group designation is made.Processor 302 may immediately analyze the RFID data comparison. If not,processor 302 may store the comparison in the RFID system database 326.Processor 302 continues the analysis by comparing RFID data. Processor302 makes a determination of a first group designation based on theappearance of the same unique tag information in the RFID data.Processor 302 may create associations based on the commonality of theRFID data assigned to the RFID reader. Processor 302 may store theanalysis in the systems analysis database 328.

Additionally, processor 302 may utilize preexisting information storedin the RFID association database to generate the group formation.Preexisting information may include, past RFID data including, pastgroup formation information and past reading intervals, additional RFIDtag information including, location information, location history,product information, stocking location information, and merchandisinginformation. The process 500 then ends at block 520.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process 600 for forming a groupaccording to one embodiment. Process 600 may be implemented, forexample, in network environment 410. Process 600 begins at block 602. Atblock 604, first RFID data is received. The first RFID data is generatedby a first RFID reader comprising at least two antennas havingnon-overlapping read zones. The first RFID data associates taginformation of an RFID tag with each antenna of the first RFID readerthat read the tag information. At block 606, the processor identifies afirst appearance of the first unique tag information in the first RFIDdata associated with a first antenna. At block 608, the processoridentifies an appearance of the first unique tag information in thefirst RFID data associated with a second antenna prior to the firstappearance of the first unique tag information in the first RFID dataassociated with the first antenna. At block 610, the processoridentifies a first appearance of second unique tag information in thefirst RFID data associated with the first antenna within a predeterminedtime before the first appearance of the first unique tag information inthe first RFID data associated with the first antenna.

At block 612, the processor checks for a prior appearance of the secondunique tag information in the first RFID data associated with the secondantenna. In particular, the processor 302 may check for an appearance ofthe second unique tag information in the first RFID data associated withthe second antenna prior to the first appearance of the second uniquetag information in the first RFID data associated with the firstantenna. Optionally, the processer 302 may only check for a priorappearance of the second unique tag information in the first RFID dataassociated with the second antenna within a specified amount of timebefore the first appearance of the second unique tag information in thefirst RFID data associated with the first antenna. For example, theprior appearance of second unique tag information may be required tooccur in the RFID data within 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 45 secondsbefore its first appearance in the first RFID data associated with thefirst antenna. Still alternatively, the appearance of the second uniquetag information may be required to occur in the first RFID data within50, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, or 500 microseconds before its firstappearance in the first RFID data associated with the first antenna.Alternatively, the processer 302 may check for a prior appearance of thesecond unique tag information in the first RFID data associated with thesecond antenna for an unlimited amount of time before the firstappearance of the second unique tag information in the first RFID dataassociated with the first antenna. If no such prior appearance of thesecond unique tag information in the RFID data associated with thesecond antenna is found, the processor proceeds to block 618 and stopschecking whether to designate a new group.

Alternatively, if the prior appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data associated with the second antenna isfound at block 612, the processor 302 proceeds to step 614 anddesignates a first group comprising the first unique tag information andthe second unique tag information. At block 616, the first groupdesignation may be stored in memory, such as memory 306. Additionally, afirst time index and a first event indicator indicating a groupformation may be stored in memory, in association with the first groupdesignation. The process ends at block 618.

Group designations may be used to provide a better understanding of itemmovement within a facility. Group designations may provide informationallowing improvements in maintaining inventory levels and stockingefficiency. Merchandising teams may use the group designations tounderstanding facility traffic flow patterns, for example, what areas ofthe facility receive higher or lower traffic volumes, variable trafficpatterns during different times of day, or variable patterns duringdifferent times of the year. The group designations may be used to planfacility layouts by providing understand what shoppers typicallypurchase together, and the order in which the items are purchased.

Group designations may also be used to interface with inventorymanagement systems. For example, one inventory management system maytrigger an employee restocking action or a reordering action. The groupdesignation data may also provide information about what items are notpurchased together, and may interface with a distribution system toavoid a potential overstock in a specific facility.

Group designations may also be used with inventory control, storesecurity, and loss prevention systems. The group designation may providean understanding of what group designations are typically a potentialloss target. A facility may be able to use this information to providedadditional resources to a specific area of a store, where the losses aremore likely to originate. Additionally, group tracking information mayprovide real time information to a facility security system. Forexample, when a group of items begins to move together the groupdesignation may trigger an alarm alerting the security team that asuspect group of items has formed and is moving in a certain direction.A suspect group of items may consist of a large number of the same itemor an abnormal amount of the same high value item. Additionally, thegroup designations may provide useful information if a group of items ismoving towards an exit and has failed to pass through a required RFIDcheck point such as a point of sale.

The group designation may be terminated by a variety of differentevents. A group designation may be terminated if the group fails to movefor a predetermined amount of time. A group designation may beterminated if one RFID tag in the group moves and appears with in anon-overlapping RFID data but the another RFID tag does not. Terminationof a group designation may also occur when RFID tags in the group areseparated and each appear within RFID data that does not contain thepreviously associated RFID tags.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining item movement viawireless tracking comprising: a plurality of RFID read zones in afacility; a first RFID reader located in a first one of the plurality ofRFID read zones; a second RFID reader located in a differentnon-overlapping zone of the plurality of RFID read zones from the firstRFID reader; a processing device communicatively coupled to the firstRFID reader and the second RFID reader configured to: receive first RFIDdata by the first RFID reader; receive second RFID data from theplurality of RFID tags by the second RFID reader, the second RFID datais different than the first RFID data; identify a first appearance of afirst unique tag information in the first RFID data; identify a secondappearance of the first unique tag information in the second RFID data;identify a first appearance of a second unique tag information in thesecond RFID data, detect a prior appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data prior to the first appearance of thesecond unique tag information in the second RFID data within a firsttime period; associate, responsive to the detection, the first uniquetag information and the second unique tag information as a group; storein a memory the group designation including the first unique taginformation and the second unique tag information, a time correspondingto the association of the group, and a first event indicator indicatingformation of the group; detect, during a second period of time, thefirst unique tag information in third RFID data, the third RFID datadifferent than the first and second RFID data; detect, during a secondperiod of time, an absence of the second unique tag information in thirdRFID data; and update in the memory the group designation including, atime corresponding to the second period of time and a second eventindicator indicating termination of the group.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the processing device further configured to: trigger an alertbased on the second event indicator.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe alert comprising a system notification, a message directed towards aspecific user, a message sent via visual or audio alters throughout thefacility.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing devicefurther configured to: filter the first RFID data to eliminate shadowdata, wherein the shadow data includes duplicate RFID tag reads andambiguous RFID tag reads due to signal interruptions.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the processing device further configured to: analyzethe second event indicator to identify a traffic flow pattern within thefacility.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing devicefurther configured to: calculate a confidence score based on acomparison of the first unique tag information and the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data and the second RFID data.
 7. A methodfor determining item movement via wireless tracking comprising:receiving, from a first RFID reader located in a first one of aplurality of RFID read zones, first RFID data; receiving, from a secondRFID reader located in a different non-overlapping zone of the pluralityof RFID read zones, second RFID data, wherein the second RFID data isdifferent than the first RFID data; identifying, by a processing device,a first appearance of a first unique tag information in the first RFIDdata; identifying, by a processing device, a second appearance of thefirst unique tag information in the second RFID data; identifying, by aprocessing device, a first appearance of a second unique tag informationin the second RFID data, detecting, by a processing device, a priorappearance of the second unique tag information in the first RFID dataprior to the first appearance of the second unique tag information inthe second RFID data within a first time period; associating, by aprocessing device responsive to the detection, the first unique taginformation and the second unique tag information as a group; storing,by a processing device, in a memory the group designation including thefirst unique tag information and the second unique tag information, atime corresponding to the association of the group, and a first eventindicator indicating formation of the group; detecting, by a processingdevice, during a second period of time, the first unique tag informationin a third RFID data, the third RFID data different than the first andsecond RFID data; detecting, by a processing device, during the secondperiod of time, an absence of the second unique tag information in thirdRFID data; and updating, by a processing device, in the memory the groupdesignation including, a time corresponding to the second period of timeand a second event indicator indicating termination of the group.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: triggering an alert based on thesecond event indicator.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the alertcomprises a system notification, a message directed towards a specificuser, a message sent via visual or audio alters throughout the facility.10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: filtering the first RFIDdata to eliminate shadow data, wherein the shadow data includesduplicate RFID tag reads and ambiguous RFID tag reads due to signalinterruptions.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: analyzingthe second event indicator to identify a traffic flow pattern within thefacility.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: calculating aconfidence score based on a comparison of the first unique taginformation and the second unique tag information in the first RFID dataand the second RFID data.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable medium,having stored thereon, instructions that when executed by a computingdevice, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:receiving, from a first RFID reader located in a first one of aplurality of RFID read zones, a first RFID data; receiving, from asecond RFID reader located a different non-overlapping zone of theplurality of RFID read zones, a second RFID data, wherein the secondRFID data is different than the first RFID data; identifying, by aprocessing device, a first appearance of a first unique tag informationin the first RFID data; identifying, by a processing device, a secondappearance of the first unique tag information in the second RFID data;identifying, by a processing device, a first appearance of a secondunique tag information in the second RFID data, detecting, by aprocessing device, a prior appearance of the second unique taginformation in the first RFID data prior to the first appearance of thesecond unique tag information in the second RFID data within a firsttime period; associating, by a processing device responsive to thedetection, the first unique tag information and the second unique taginformation as a group; storing, by a processing device, in a memory thegroup designation including the first unique tag information and thesecond unique tag information, a time corresponding to the associationof the group, and a first event indicator indicating formation of thegroup; detecting, by a processing device, during a second period oftime, the first unique tag information in a third RFID data, the thirdRFID data different than the first and second RFID data; detecting, by aprocessing device, during the second period of time, an absence of thesecond unique tag information in third RFID data; and updating, by aprocessing device, in the memory the group designation including, a timecorresponding to the second period of time and a second event indicatorindicating termination of the group.
 14. The computer readable medium ofclaim 13, wherein the operations performed by the computer devicefurther comprise: triggering an alert based on the second eventindicator.
 15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, the alertcomprising a system notification, a message directed towards a specificuser, a message sent via visual or audio alters throughout the facility.16. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the operationsperformed by the computer device further comprise: filtering the firstRFID data to eliminate shadow data, wherein the shadow data includesduplicate RFID tag reads and ambiguous RFID tag reads due to signalinterruptions.
 17. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein theoperations performed by the computer device further comprise: analyzingthe second event indicator to identify a traffic flow pattern within thefacility.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein theoperations performed by the computer device further comprises:calculating a confidence score based on a comparison of the first uniquetag information and the second unique tag information in the first RFIDdata and the second RFID data.